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TORONTO - Want a fun way to
teach your kids about science? Take them to the "Marvel Super
Heroes Science Exhibition" in the Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don
Mills Road.
The exhibit is divided into two parts. In the first, more than 30
action stations engage visitors in the sights, sounds and sensations of
the Marvel world. Kids can explore the wonders of Spider-Man by
comparing the strength of spider silk with Technora, one of the world's
strongest materials.
They will become real-life iron men by stepping into an exo-suit
that enables them to lift a Mazda CX-7 Crossover vehicle. They can also
examine how lightning is created by calculating the distance of a
thunderstorm that destroys a villain in the Storm exhibit.
The second part of the exhibition is dedicated to the history and
art of the Marvel comics. An extensive collection of related artwork
featuring some of the most popular Marvel artists will be on display.
Comic book fans will enjoy the exclusive taped interview with Marvel's
Stan Lee, who helps put the comics into their historical context and
shows the science behind the artistic aspect of the various creations.
This is a timed-ticket exhibition, running through March 25. Tickets
are $25 (Canadian) adults, $20 seniors and youths, $17 children and
include admission to the Science Centre. Info: www.ontariosciencecentre.ca.
Heritage celebration
Kuumba is the Swahili word for creativity. It is also the name for
Toronto's annual event celebrating African heritage, held Friday
through next Sunday in the Harbourfront Center, 235 Queens Quay West.
In celebration of Black History Month, Kuumba has a weekend of
festivities including crafts for children, dance, movies and plenty of
food and shopping from the African Diaspora (Caribbean, Africa and
Latin America).
Jamaican music, art and culture will be celebrated with a concert
and soiree marking the 45th anniversary of Jamaican independence. Entertainment
includes comedian Jay Martin, followed by the return of Jay Douglas and
the All-Star Band. Other Jamaican recording artists include Anthony
Malvo, Humble and DJ Empress Divine. The free event is held from 9 p.m.
to 1 a.m. Friday.
A highlight of the weekend is a concert and CD release party for
Vieux Farka Toure, son of legendary musician Ali Farka Toure, at 10
p.m. Saturday. The proverbial torch was passed from father to son when
Grammy Award-winning Ali Farka Toure lost his battle to bone cancer in
2006. Vieux's music respects the heritage of his Malian roots and
continues in the rich tradition of his father. The self-titled debut CD
will also feature the very last recordings of the senior musician.
Admission is $15.
Two film screenings are noteworthy. "Dead Prez: It's Bigger
Than Hip Hop," directed by John Threat, is more than a concert
documentary; it also analyzes Black America today. It airs at 2:30 p.m.
Saturday. "Sista God," directed by Yao Ramesar, is a
critically acclaimed first feature of a trilogy about the coming of a
black female messiah who is the sole survivor of a global holocaust. It
airs at 1 p.m. Saturday. Both will be shown in the Studio Theatre free
of charge.
Fans who watch the popular television program, "So You Think
You Can Dance," are in luck. Two of the show's celebrity judges,
Cicely Bradley and Olisa Thompson of Nu-Stylz, will be in a
Harbourfront Centre exclusive dance workshop. These women have taught
the likes of Missy Elliott and Whitney Houston. Their free workshop
will be held at 8 p.m. Saturday.
For a complete list of events, visit www.harbourfrontcentre.com or call
(416) 973-4000.
"Phantom' returns
He's back, and better than before with some surprises, too.
"The Phantom of the Opera," the longest running show in
Broadway history, returns to Toronto Feb. 21 in the Princess of Wales
Theatre, 300 King St. West.
More than $12 million worth of tickets have already been sold,
prompting the original closing date to be extended to June 3, according
to John Karastamatis of Mirvish Productions. A new block of tickets go
on sale Feb. 12. Tickets range from $30 to $110 and can be ordered by
visiting www.mirvish.com
or calling (800) 461-3333 or (416) 872-1212.
Delta Chelsea Hotel has partnered with the show for overnight
accommodations starting at $126; rates for a room, parking and $25 food
credit start at $184. Show tickets are not included, but can be
arranged through the hotel. Visit www.deltachelsea.com.
Gospel music
South Africa's Soweto Gospel Choir returns to Toronto for
performances Feb. 27 and 28 in the Hummingbird Centre for the
Performing Arts, One Front Street East.
The concert will feature a dynamic four-piece band, as well as
traditional dancers and drummers. This awe-inspiring vocal ensemble,
which performs in eight different languages, presents a program of
tribal, traditional and popular African gospel. For more information,
visit www.hummingbirdcentre.com or call
(416) 872-2262.
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